| “Fit. Fit!” shouted Trey. Fitternook didn’t hear him. He was busy looking into the water. It was like glass now at dusk. The sun was beginning to crawl low in the eastern sky. The horizon looked like it was on fire, like the Embers of Voltash spitting out of the Volcano’s core. Streaks of crimson clouds filled the sky; the air was loose like an old man sighing of relief when the working day was over. Fitternook sat there glued at the mysterious water, staring into depthless memories and shapeless dreams. The small boat rocked back and force but Fitternook didn’t budge an inch; stability was his. “Fit, grab the rope!!!” Fitternook finally snapped out of his trance at Trey’s shouting. He pulled his side of the netting up out of rote, not worried about Trey. “What is wrong with you Fit? I almost fell in again because you’re off day dreaming when you should be paying attention. If we don’t get this catch in before dark Havas will have our necks for sure!” Fitternook remained unfazed by Trey’s remarks. “I don’t know Trey. Don’t you ever wonder what lies beyond the Great Reef?” “The Great Reef?! I’m not going to even encourage this conversation. You know what I think.” “But think about it Trey! The other places we’ve never seen, out there, waiting to be,” he paused for a second, “rediscovered.” Fitternook relinquished his net pulling duties to stand up and stare far out into the horizon. “Like I haven’t heard this speech before,” Trey brushed off Fitternook’s outlandish comments but soon digressed. “Fit, you know I want to just as badly as you. I mean what kid doesn’t want to travel in The Lost? But you know the stories, you know about Stainput and his failed attempts. Heck, you’re uncle was one of his crewmen...” Trey trailed off knowing he didn’t mean to go there. He knew of Fitternook’s close relationship he had with his uncle and didn’t mean to bring him up. Fitternook had a sad yet distant look on his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up Bavan.” “It’s ok. I still wonder about him Trey. What if he did make it? What is Stainput was right? You know they never found any bodies,” he trailed off with a look of child-like hope. “Fit.... the boat, the wreckage...” He didn’t need to say anymore, Fitternook knew what he was getting at. “Come on Fit, it’s getting dark. Let’s finish with this catch and go home.” Fitternook took one last look at the failing sun and sighed. He turned back around, agreed with Trey, and began making preparations to row back to the docks. A flock of Pensk birds flew high above. ...to be continued |
| The Adventures of Fitternook Fisterbrook |